Reviewed by: Grace Howard
12 ways to spread cheer—holiday volunteer opportunities in Birmingham
Reading time: 8 minutes
We get it—the holidays can feel extra heavy when budgets are tight and schedules are packed. While not everyone has the ability to donate financially, the spirit of the season shines through in small acts of giving. Even a few minutes of your time can make a big difference for someone in need.
We’ve gathered a handful of Birmingham nonprofits with immediate needs that can fit into your holiday schedule and would greatly appreciate volunteers who can stop by, lend a hand and make the holidays a little brighter. If December slips away too fast, don’t worry—there are lots of volunteer opportunities lined up for the new year, too.
1. Jimmie Hale Mission
This Christmas Day, Jimmie Hale Mission needs extra hands. They’re urgently seeking Meals on Wheels drivers to deliver meals on Christmas morning, bringing comfort, warmth and connection to the Birmingham community. If you’re free, this is a valuable way to give back on one of the most important days of the year.
- Sign up to volunteer on Christmas Day.
- Check out more of their volunteer opportunities
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
2. American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is encouraging folks to give the gift of life this holiday season by donating blood. Their website makes it easy to find donation times, locations and even schedule your visit in advance. Plus, if you donate between December 8 & December 18 you’ll receive a $15 Amazon gift card.
If you want to get involved beyond the holidays, they also have opportunities for Blood Services volunteers and Disaster Action Team members in 2026.
- Find donation locations, dates + times, and schedule your appointment
- Check your donor eligibility
- Explore 2026 volunteer opportunities
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
3. Children’s Harbor
Children’s Harbor at Children’s of Alabama is always looking for volunteers who want to bring a little comfort and joy to families facing medical challenges.
From helping with crafts to greeting visitors at the front desk or simply spending time playing with children, there are plenty of meaningful ways to get involved. The application process is simple and offers flexible scheduling options that fit into busy lives.
4. AIDS Alabama
AIDS Alabama is always looking for volunteers for the Way Station, a safe haven for unhoused young adults and adults that provides warm meals, a bed and hygiene access. If you would like to donate personal items, consider shopping the Way Station Wish List on Amazon.
5. Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama offers plenty of hands-on ways to make a real impact in fighting hunger across our region. Volunteers can help in the warehouse by sorting and inspecting donated food, packing boxes or even organizing food drives in their own communities.
They also welcome group volunteer shifts, with both morning and afternoon times available. Whether you sign up solo or bring a team, it’s an important way to give back.
6. First Light Shelter
First Light offers several ways to volunteer this holiday season, including meal service, activities, overnight shifts and supply drives—each one helping provide dignity, support and hope to women and children experiencing homelessness. You can also sign up to donate items for holiday gift bags that guests of First Light will open on Christmas morning.
- View volunteer opportunities or sign up to help with holiday gift bags
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
7. Friends of Avondale Park
Friends of Avondale Park is hosting a volunteer work day and tree decorating event on Saturday, December 13 from 8AM-10AM. It’s an excellent chance to get outdoors, meet your neighbors and give back to a space the whole community enjoys.
Volunteers will help decorate the park’s first ever holiday tree—a native Eastern Red Cedar planted by FOAP. After a morning of fresh air and community spirit, everyone’s invited back for a 4:30PM tree lighting complete with snacks and festive fun as a thank you for helping make the park shine.
8. The Foundry Ministries
The Foundry Ministries offers both in-person and at-home volunteer options to support their recovery programs. You can register on their website to see current volunteer roles, or choose a remote option like sending encouraging letters to program participants or hosting a small donation drive. They also keep an Amazon wish list updated with the supplies they need most.
- Learn more about their volunteer opportunities
- Amazon Wish List Men Bessemer | Amazon Wish List Men Cullman | Amazon Wish List Women
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
9. The Exceptional Foundation
Volunteering at The Exceptional Foundation means joining a community dedicated to enriching the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through social and recreational activities. Volunteers help with daily tasks, engage with participants and support staff across a variety of Foundation programs. It’s a fulfilling way to give your time and brighten someone’s day.
10. Black Warrior Riverkeeper
Bring some holiday cheer to the outdoors with Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s Birmingham Litter Cleanup on Saturday, December 20 from 9AM–11AM. Meet at Kingdom Family Fellowship and help keep our community clean while supporting local conservation. Head to their website to learn more about other ways to support their conservation work.
11. Pathways
This holiday season, Pathways is welcoming volunteers who want to spread some cheer and support local women and children in need. There are so many ways to get involved—bringing and serving a meal, helping with cleaning and everyday tasks or wrapping gifts to make the holidays feel special for families experiencing homelessness.
They also have a holiday wishlist—a simple way to give if you’re short on time but still want to make an impact.
- View their volunteer opportunities.
- Pathways Holiday Wish List
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
12. United Way of Central Alabama
United Way of Central Alabama offers several meaningful ways to support local families this season, and a few programs need extra hands right now.
Their biggest volunteer needs include Meals on Wheels, Bundles of Hope, Grace Klein’s food drive and BCS food pantries. Whether you want to deliver meals, help distribute diapers or support food access across the region, there’s a place for you to make a real impact.
- Learn more about how to get involved here + register for specific volunteer opportunities here
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
Make your 2026 resolution to become a volunteer
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to volunteer more in 2026, you’re in luck—Birmingham has plenty of nonprofits ready to welcome new helping hands. Some opportunities may require a bit more commitment, but these local organizations make it easy to get involved and offer meaningful ways to make an impact long after the holidays.
- AIDS Alabama
- Alabama Audubon
- Alabama Ballet
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra
- American Heart Association
- Alabama Holocaust Center
- Birmingham Education Foundation
- Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library
- Birmingham Museum of Art
- Cahaba River Coalition
- Children’s of Alabama
- Coosa Riverkeeper
- Hand in Paw
- HICA
- Junior League of Birmingham
- Lakeshore Foundation
- Make-A-Wish Alabama
- McWane Science Center
- Red Mountain Theatre
- Ronald McDonald House
- Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema
- STAIR of Birmingham
- United Ability
You can also checkout these 70 local nonprofits for more ways to give back.
Birmingham is full of amazing nonprofits doing important work. If we missed one, let us know on Instagram + Facebook!
